Things to go from Brad to worse for Bantams

4Dec 2012

Jonno Turner picks two more selections in his Home and Away column today.

We're focusing on the Football League Trophy for our first pick of the day - and a couple of League Two sides face each other as in-form Port Vale welcome Bradford City to Burslem, looking to build on the recent results which have lifted them into second place in the fourth tier.

Micky Adams' side have been impressive all campaign - and are firing on all cylinders, with star striker Tom Pope notching goals levft, right and centre.

And half a dozen unbeaten on their own patch ahead of this tie underlines just how dominant the home side have been in recent weeks - smashing 15 goals in that time and conceding just five.

A 4-0 thrashing of Bristol Rovers in their last encounter in front of their own fans will have filled the home side with confidence as they prepare to welcome top six Bradford to Vale Park.

The visitors have won just one of their last five clashes away from Valley Parade - and boss Phil Parkinson will be desperate for them to correct that slide here.

But the Bantams have shipped nine goals in their last five outings, and that suggests that the away side have some weaknesses in their rear guard.

With their hosts full of vigour and momentum, any defensive slip ups could cost them dearly - and with a tight affair predicted, I think that the outcome of this game could come down to a couple of single chances.

Port Vale have not lost to Bradford in nine meetings - winning five of the last six battles between these sides - and I'm backing the home win again.

Bet 1: Port Vale (HOME) @ 2.1

Let's turn to slightly more exotic climes now, as we switch our attentions to the Champions League, and travel to Montpellier, as Schalke aim to secure pole position at the top of Group B.

The Germans have been in impressive form in this competition, and have dropped just four points in their last five European outings - with a win tonight enough to clinch first place in this mini-league.

And with Arsenal breathing down their neck, and just a point separating the two sides, away boss Huub Stevens will be desperate for his side to grab another three points in emphatic style here.

Three wins from their last four away outings suggests that the visitors are more than capable of chalking up another three points in France - and just one loss in four encounters shows just how hard to beat this Konigsblauen side is.

The hosts have endured a nightmare trot in this competition, and currently prop up the rest of the group, sitting in bottom place with just a single point from a possible 15.

Rene Girard's side enjoyed a fantastic campaign last year, and scooped the Ligue 1 title - but this season has not quite gone to plan, and the Stade de la Mosson side currently sit in an underwhelming 13th place in the top tier.

Just two wins from eight indicates that the hosts are in the midst of a miserable patch at the moment, and with their hopes of qualification to the next round of this competition already dashed, you have to question their motivation in this fixture.

Schalke are unbeaten in this group so far, and they will not want to lose that impressive record with just one game to go - so I'm backing the visitors to see themselves through to the next round in style here.

Bet 2: Schalke (AWAY) @ 2.16